U.S. patent application number 14/996533 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-21 for method of controlling screen and electronic device for processing the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hanju CHO, Eunju LEE, Dongjun SHIN, Jieun YANG.
Application Number | 20160210041 14/996533 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55177775 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160210041 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YANG; Jieun ; et
al. |
July 21, 2016 |
METHOD OF CONTROLLING SCREEN AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR PROCESSING
THE SAME
Abstract
Disclosed are a method of controlling a screen and an electronic
device that includes a display that is functionally connected to
the electronic device; and a controller that is configured to cause
a display area of the display to be split into a first display area
and a second display area in response to the detection of a
multi-touch type split-screen input.
Inventors: |
YANG; Jieun; (Seoul, KR)
; SHIN; Dongjun; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE; Eunju;
(Seoul, KR) ; CHO; Hanju; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Gyeonggi-do |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
55177775 |
Appl. No.: |
14/996533 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/04845 20130101;
G09G 5/14 20130101; G06F 3/04886 20130101; G06F 3/0416 20130101;
G06F 3/0488 20130101; G06F 2203/04803 20130101; G06F 3/041661
20190501; G06F 2203/04104 20130101; G06F 3/04847 20130101; G06F
2203/04808 20130101; G06F 3/04883 20130101; G06F 3/04842
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0488 20060101
G06F003/0488; G06F 3/041 20060101 G06F003/041; G06F 3/0484 20060101
G06F003/0484; G09G 5/14 20060101 G09G005/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 16, 2015 |
KR |
10-2015-0007946 |
Claims
1. An electronic device for controlling a screen, comprising: a
display; a detector configured to detect a multi-input signal
including at least two touch inputs; and a controller configured to
split a display area of the display into a number of display areas
including a reference screen area and a split screen area in
response to detecting the multi-input signal, wherein the reference
screen area displays a screen of a function that is currently being
executed and the split screen area displays one or more screens of
functions not currently being executed.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to
determine at least one recommended function in the split screen
area.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one recommended
function is determined based on at least one condition selected
from: an execution frequency, a name, and an execution time.
4. The device of claim 2, wherein, when splitting the display area
into two or more split screen areas, the at least one recommended
function includes a plurality of recommended functions, and each
recommended function is displayed in respective ones of the split
screen areas.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the splitting of the display area
is based on at least one of the touch inputs, a moving distance of
the touch input, a moving direction of the at least one of the
touch inputs, and the area of the at least one of the touch
inputs.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller configures the
size of the reference screen area based on the number of split
screen areas.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller uses the reference
screen area as a split screen area when the input is detected in a
state in which a function is not executed.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to
cause the display to display preview information on the reference
screen area and the split screen area before splitting the display
area. on the display.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the detector is configured to
detect a screen reconfiguration request and the controller changes
the location of the reference screen area in response to the screen
reconfiguration request.
10. An electronic device for controlling a screen, comprising: a
display; a detector that detects a single-input signal including a
touch input; and a controller configured to detect information
regarding at least one of a moving distance of the touch input, a
moving direction of the touch input, and the area of the touch
input in response to the detection of the single-input signal, and
is configured to split a display area of the display into a
reference screen area and a split screen area based on the
information, wherein the reference screen area displays a screen of
a function that is being executed and the split screen area
displays a screen of a function that is not currently being
executed.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to
display on or more recommended functions in the reference screen
area and the split screen area.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the controller identifies the
recommended functions based on the single-input signal.
13. A method of controlling a screen, comprising: detecting a
touch-input signal including a number of touch input points; and
splitting a display area into a reference screen area and a split
screen area in response to the detection of the touch-input signal,
wherein a screen of a function that is currently being executed is
displayed in the reference screen area and a screen of a function
that is not currently being executed is displayed in the split
screen area.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: after the splitting
of the display area, displaying at least one recommended function
in the split screen area.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one recommended
function is identified based on at least one condition selected
from at least one of: an execution frequency, a name, and an
execution time.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the displaying of the
recommended function comprises: when splitting the display area
into two or more split screen areas, displaying each recommended
function in a respective one of the split screen areas.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the splitting of the display
area comprises: splitting the display area based on at least one of
the number of touch input points, a moving distance of the touch
input, a moving direction of the touch input, and the area of the
touch input.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the splitting of the display
area comprises: configuring the size of the reference screen area
based on the number of split screen areas.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the splitting of the display
area comprises: displaying preview information in the reference
screen area and the split screen area before splitting the display
area.
20. The method of claim 13, further comprising: detecting a screen
reconfiguration request after splitting the display area; and
changing the location of the reference screen area in response to
the screen reconfiguration request.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) to Korean Application Serial No. 10-2015-0007946,
which was filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jan.
16, 2015, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a method of
controlling a screen and an electronic device for processing the
method.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Electronic devices can support various functions (e.g.,
applications) that provide various services to users. In this case,
the electronic devices may display an execution screen that
corresponds to at least one of the functions. For example, the
electronic devices may display a browser screen, a content
reproduction screen, a message screen, a schedule screen, etc.
[0004] In addition, the electronic devices may also simultaneously
display execution screens for a plurality of functions.
SUMMARY
[0005] In operation, the users of the electronic devices may have
difficulty in splitting a screen in order to simultaneously display
the plurality of execution screens. Namely, the users of the
electronic devices have to request that the screen be split and
select a function to be executed on the divided areas of the split
screen. Such an operation may have to be repeated as many times as
the number of split screens that are desired. That is, the process
of selecting functions to be performed in the various areas of the
split screen is time consuming and tedious.
[0006] Various embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a
method of controlling a screen and an electronic device for
processing the method in which a user of the electronic device can
split a screen into a desired number of split screen areas and can
easily select functions to be executed in the respective split
screen areas in a relatively few number of steps.
[0007] In order to achieve the aforementioned objective or other
objectives, a device for controlling a screen, according to various
embodiments, may include: a display functionally connected to an
electronic device; a detector that detects a multi-input signal;
and a controller that displays the display area of the display that
is split into a reference screen area and a split screen area in
response to the detection of the multi-input signal. A screen of a
running function may be displayed in the reference screen area and
a screen of a function to be executed may be displayed in the split
screen area.
[0008] A device for controlling a screen, according to various
embodiments, may include: a display functionally connected to an
electronic device; a detector that detects a single-input signal;
and a controller that is configured to receive and/or determine
information regarding at least one of a moving distance of the
touch input, a moving direction of the touch input, and the area of
the touch input in response to the detection of the single-input
signal, and displays the display area of the display that is split
into a reference screen area and a split screen area based on the
information. A screen of a running function may be displayed in the
reference screen area and the screen of a function to be executed
may be displayed in the split screen area.
[0009] A computer readable recording medium, according to various
embodiments, may have a program recorded therein for executing: an
operation of detecting a multi-input signal; and an operation of
splitting a display area into a reference screen area and a split
screen area in response to the detection of the multi-input signal.
A screen of a running function may be displayed in the reference
screen area and a screen of a function to be executed may be
displayed in the split screen area.
[0010] A computer readable recording medium, according to various
embodiments, may have a program recorded therein for executing: an
operation of detecting a single-input signal; and an operation of
receiving or determining information regarding at least one of a
moving distance of the touch input, a moving direction of the touch
input, and the area of the touch input in response to the detection
of the single-input signal and displaying the display area of the
display that is split into a reference screen area and a split
screen area based on the information. A screen of a running
function may be displayed in the reference screen area, and a
screen of a function to be executed may be displayed in the split
screen area.
[0011] A method of controlling a screen, according to various
embodiments, may include: detecting a multi-input signal and
splitting a display area into a reference screen area and a split
screen area in response to the detection of the multi-input signal.
A screen of a running function may be displayed in the reference
screen area and a screen of a function to be executed may be
displayed in the split screen area.
[0012] A method of controlling a screen, according to various
embodiments, may include: detecting a single-input signal and
receiving or determining information regarding at least one of a
moving distance of the touch input, a moving direction of the touch
input, and the area of the touch input in response to the detection
of the single-input signal and displaying the display area of the
display that is split into a reference screen area and a split
screen area based on the analysis result. A screen of a running
function may be displayed in the reference screen area, and the
screen of a function to be executed may be displayed in the split
screen area.
[0013] These and other aspects of the present disclosure are
described in more detail herein below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the
present disclosure will be more apparent from the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according
to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates the configuration of a screen controller
in the electronic device, according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure:
[0017] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a screen control
procedure of the electronic device, according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of splitting
a display area based on a multi-touch, according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrate examples of splitting a
display area based on a touch, according to various embodiments of
the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C illustrate an example of a
method of splitting a display area based on a multi-touch,
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which the
operation of splitting a screen based on a single-touch in FIG. 3
is performed, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, FIG. 8C, FIG. 8D, FIG. 8E and FIG. 8F
illustrate an example of a method of splitting a display area based
on a single-touch, according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a performance procedure
of an operation of recommending functions to be executed in split
screens, according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B illustrate an example of a method of
recommending functions to be executed on split screens, according
to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B illustrate an example of a method of
recommending functions to be executed on split screens, according
to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which the
operation of reconfiguring the split screens in FIG. 3 is
performed, according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 13A, FIG. 13B, FIG. 13C and FIG. 13D illustrate
examples of a method of reconfiguring split screens, according to
various embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0028] FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B and FIG. 14C illustrate a screen control
situations of the electronic device, according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In
the following description, specific details such as detailed
configuration and components are merely provided to assist the
overall understanding of these embodiments of the present
disclosure. Therefore, it should be apparent to those skilled in
the art that various changes and modifications of the embodiments
described herein can be made without departing from the scope and
spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of
well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and
conciseness.
[0030] The present disclosure may have various embodiment, and
modifications and changes may be made therein. Therefore, the
present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to
particular embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However,
it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited
to the particular embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all
modifications/changes, equivalents, and/or alternatives falling
within the spirit and the scope of the present disclosure. In
describing the drawings, like or similar reference numerals may be
used to designate similar elements.
[0031] The terms "have", "may have", "include", or "may include"
used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure indicate
the presence of disclosed corresponding functions, operations,
elements, and the like, and do not limit additional one or more
functions, operations, elements, and the like. In addition, it
should be understood that the terms "include" or "have" used in the
various embodiments of the present disclosure are to indicate the
presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts,
or a combination thereof described in the specifications, and do
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or a
combination thereof.
[0032] The terms "A or B", "at least one of A or/and B" or "one or
more of A or/and B" used in the various embodiments of the present
disclosure include any and all combinations of words enumerated
with it. For example, "A or B", "at least one of A and B" or "at
least one of A or B" means (1) including at least one A, (2)
including at least one B, or (3) including both at least one A and
at least one B.
[0033] Although the term such as "first" and "second" used in
various embodiments of the present disclosure may modify various
elements of various embodiments, these terms do not limit the
corresponding elements. For example, these terms do not limit an
order and/or importance of the corresponding elements. These terms
may be used for the purpose of distinguishing one element from
another element. For example, a first user device and a second user
device all indicate user devices and may indicate different user
devices. For example, a first element may be named a second element
without departing from the scope of right of various embodiments of
the present disclosure, and similarly, a second element may be
named a first element.
[0034] It will be understood that when an element (e.g., first
element) is "connected to" or "(operatively or communicatively)
coupled with/to" to another element (e.g., second element), the
element may be directly connected or coupled to another element,
and there may be an intervening element (e.g., third element)
between the element and another element. To the contrary, it will
be understood that when an element (e.g., first element) is
"directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element
(e.g., second element), there is no intervening element (e.g.,
third element) between the element and another element.
[0035] The expression "configured to (or set to)" used in various
embodiments of the present disclosure may be replaced with
"suitable for", "having the capacity to", "designed to", " adapted
to", "made to", or "capable of" according to a situation. The term
"configured to (set to)" does not necessarily mean "specifically
designed to" in a hardware level. Instead, the expression
"apparatus configured to . . . " may mean that the apparatus is
"capable of . . . " along with other devices or parts in a certain
situation. For example, "a processor configured to (set to) perform
A, B, and C" may be a dedicated processor, e.g., an embedded
processor, for performing a corresponding operation, or a
generic-purpose processor, e.g., a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or
an application processor(AP), capable of performing a corresponding
operation by executing one or more software programs stored in a
memory device.
[0036] The terms as used herein are used merely to describe certain
embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.
As used herein, singular forms may include plural forms as well
unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. Further, all the
terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, should
be interpreted to have the same meanings as commonly understood by
those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains,
and should not be interpreted to have ideal or excessively formal
meanings unless explicitly defined in various embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0037] The module or program module according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure may further include at least
one or more constitutional elements among the aforementioned
constitutional elements, or may omit some of them, or may further
include additional other constitutional elements. Operations
performed by a module, programming module, or other constitutional
elements according to various embodiments of the present disclosure
may be executed in a sequential, parallel, repetitive, or heuristic
manner. In addition, some of the operations may be executed in a
different order or may be omitted, or other operations may be
added.
[0038] An electronic device according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure may be a device. For example, the electronic
device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure
may include at least one of: a smart phone; a tablet personal
computer (PC); a mobile phone; a video phone; an e-book reader; a
desktop PC; a laptop PC; a netbook computer; a workstation, a
server, a personal digital assistant (PDA); a portable multimedia
player (PMP); an MP3 player; a mobile medical device; a camera; or
a wearable device (e.g., a head-mount-device (HMD), an electronic
glasses, an electronic clothing, an electronic bracelet, an
electronic necklace, an electronic appcessory, an electronic
tattoo, a smart mirror, or a smart watch).
[0039] In other embodiments, an electronic device may be a smart
home appliance. For example, of such appliances may include at
least one of: a television (TV); a digital video disk (DVD) player;
an audio component; a refrigerator; an air conditioner; a vacuum
cleaner; an oven; a microwave oven; a washing machine; an air
cleaner; a set-top box; a home automation control panel; a security
control panel; a TV box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync.TM., Apple TV.TM.,
or Google TV.TM.); a game console(e.g., Xbox.TM., PlayStation.TM.);
an electronic dictionary; an electronic key; a camcorder; or an
electronic frame.
[0040] In other embodiments, an electronic device may include at
least one of: a medical equipment (e.g., a mobile medical device
(e.g., a blood glucose monitoring device, a heart rate monitor, a
blood pressure monitoring device or a temperature meter), a
magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) machine, a magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) machine, a computed tomography (CT) scanner, or an
ultrasound machine); a navigation device; a global positioning
system (GPS) receiver; an event data recorder (EDR); a flight data
recorder (FDR); an in-vehicle infotainment device; an electronic
equipment for a ship (e.g., ship navigation equipment and/or a
gyrocompass); an avionics equipment; a security equipment; a head
unit for vehicle; an industrial or home robot; an automatic
teller's machine (ATM) of a financial institution, point of sale
(POS) device at a retail store, or an internet of things device
(e.g., a Lightbulb, various sensors, an electronic meter, a gas
meter, a sprinkler, a fire alarm, a thermostat, a streetlamp, a
toaster, a sporting equipment, a hot-water tank, a heater, or a
boiler and the like)
[0041] In certain embodiments, an electronic device may include at
least one of: a piece of furniture or a building/structure; an
electronic board; an electronic signature receiving device; a
projector; and various measuring instruments (e.g., a water meter,
an electricity meter, a gas meter, or a wave meter).
[0042] An electronic device according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure may also include a combination of one or more of
the above-mentioned devices. Further, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that an electronic device according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited to the
above-mentioned devices.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according
to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device 100, according to
the various embodiments of the present disclosure, may include a
communication unit 110, an input unit 120, a storage unit 130, a
display unit 140, and a controller 150.
[0045] The communication unit 110 may perform communication in the
electronic device 100. At this time, the communication unit 110 can
communicate with an external device (not illustrated) in various
communication schemes. In this case, the communication unit 110 may
communicate with an external device (not illustrated) in various
communication schemes. According to various embodiments, the
communication unit 110 may perform at least one of wireless
communication and wired communication. According to an embodiment,
the communication unit 110 may connect to at least one of a mobile
communication network and a data communication network. According
to another embodiment, the communication unit 110 may perform short
range communication. For example, the external device may include
an electronic device, a base station, a server, and a satellite.
Further, the communication scheme may include Long Term Evolution
(LTE), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global
System for Mobile communications (GSM), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Near
Field Communication (NFC).
[0046] The input unit 120 may generate input data in the electronic
device 100. In this case, the input unit 120 may generate input
data in response to an input of a user of the electronic device
100. According to various embodiments, the input unit 120 may
include at least one input means. For example, the input unit 120
may include a key pad, a dome switch, a physical button, a touch
panel, a jog-shuttle, and a sensor. According to various
embodiments, the input unit 120 may generate input data for
requesting the split of a screen into a plurality of screens, input
data for reconfiguring the split screens, and the like.
[0047] The storage unit 130 may store operating programs of the
electronic device 100. In this case, the storage unit 130 may store
programs (or applications) for executing various functions.
Further, the storage unit 130 may store data generated while the
functions are performed. According to various embodiments, the data
stored in the storage unit 130 may be execution information
associated with the functions.
[0048] According to an embodiment, the execution information may be
associated with at least one of the following criteria: the number
of times that the function has been executed, the time zone when
the function is executed, the time during which the execution of
the function has been maintained, and/or information on another
function that is executed together with the function. According to
various embodiments, the execution information stored in the
storage unit 130 may be updated when a function is executed or when
the executed function is completed.
[0049] The display unit 140 may output display data. In this case,
the display unit 140 may display an execution screen that
corresponds to at least one of a plurality of functions of the
electronic device. According to an embodiment, the display unit 140
may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode
(LED) display, an Organic LED (OLED) display, a Micro
ElectroMechanical System (MEMS) display, and an electronic paper
display. According to various embodiments, the display unit 140,
together with the input unit 120, may be implemented as a touch
screen. In this case, the display unit 140 may detect input data
for requesting the split of a screen, an input for reconfiguring
split screens, and the like.
[0050] The controller 150 may control an overall operation of the
electronic device 100. According to various embodiments, the
controller 150 may analyze a split-screen input to split a screen
and may display, on the split screens, execution screens
corresponding to functions that satisfy a condition. According to
various embodiments, the split-screen input may be a multi-touch or
a single-touch on the display unit 140. According to an embodiment,
the controller 150 may determine the number of split screens based
on at least one of the number of input points, the number of
inputs, an input time, a moving distance of the input, and a moving
direction of the input. According to various embodiments, the
functions satisfying a condition may include at least one of a
frequently executed function, a function having a priority
according to a name among the functions provided by the electronic
device, and a recently executed function.
[0051] According to various embodiments, the controller 150 may
include a screen controller 200, and may control the screen
controller 200 to perform the aforementioned operation.
[0052] According to another embodiment, the controller 150 may
refer to a processor that executes one or more software programs
stored in a memory device. For example, the aforementioned
operation of the controller 150 may be executed by a software
program that is executed by a processor.
[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates the configuration of the screen
controller 200 of the electronic device, according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure. According to various
embodiments, the screen controller 200 may be included in the
controller 150 of the electronic device.
[0054] According to various embodiments, the screen controller 200
may include a detection unit 210 (or detector), a determination
unit 220 (or determination device), and an output unit 230 (or
output device).
[0055] Referring to FIG. 2, the detection unit 210 may detect an
input for requesting the split of a screen (e.g., a split-screen
input). According to an embodiment, a split-screen screen input may
be defined as a touch type of input, and in this case, the
detection unit 210 may detect the split-screen input through a
sensor (for example, a touch screen) that may detect an input using
a body part or an electronic pen. According to various embodiments,
the detection unit 210 may detect a direct input (e.g., a direct
touch) or an indirect input (e.g., a proximity touch) using a body
part or an electronic pen.
[0056] According to another embodiment, a split-screen input may be
associated with at least one of a voice input, a gesture input, and
a button input, in addition to a touch input. For example, the
detection unit 210 may detect a voice type of split-screen input
through a microphone. In another example, the detection unit 210
may detect a gesture type of split-screen input through a sensor
that can detect a motion. In yet another example, the detection
unit 210 may also detect a split-screen input in connection with a
button (for example, a power button, a volume button, etc.) that
generates a specific instruction.
[0057] The determination unit 220 may analyze an input for
splitting a screen to determine the number of split screens.
According to an embodiment, the determination unit 220 may
determine the number of split screens in response to the detection
of a touch-type input. In this case, the determination unit 220 may
calculate at least one of the number of touch input points, the
number of inputs, an input time, a touch moving distance, and/or a
touch moving direction by detecting the input, and may use the same
to determine the number of split screens.
[0058] Here, the number of touch input points may be associated
with the number of fingers that generate a multi-touch, and the
determination unit 220 may determine the number of touch input
points to be the number of split screens. For example, the
determination unit 220 may determine to display two split screens
in response to the detection of a touch input using two fingers
(for example, a split-screen input).
[0059] In addition, the number of inputs may be associated with
touch inputs that have been detected for a pre-defined period of
time, and the determination unit 220 may compare the number of
inputs and a threshold value to determine the number of split
screens. Here, the threshold value, the number of touch inputs that
defines the number of split screens, may include a first threshold
value associated with two split screens, a second threshold value
associated with three split screens, a third threshold value
associated with four split screens, and the like. For example, when
detecting the number of touches (for example, two touches) that
correspond to the first threshold value, the determination unit 220
may determine to display two split screens.
[0060] The determination unit 220 may determine the number of split
screens based on a touch input time, a touch moving distance, a
touch moving direction, etc. by using the same or a similar method
to the method of using the number of inputs.
[0061] According to various embodiments, the determination unit 220
may determine and/or recommend functions that may be displayed on
split screens, in addition to determining the number of split
screens. According to an embodiment, the determination unit 220 may
determine and/or recommend a function that includes at least one of
a frequently executed function in the split of a screen, a function
having a priority according to a name among the functions provided
by the electronic device, and a recently executed function.
According to another embodiment, when a split-screen request is
generated by a separate input means, the determination unit 220 may
determine and/or recommend a function associated with the input
means. For example, the input means may be identified to be an
electronic pen, and in this case, the determination unit 220 may
determine and/or recommend a function (for example, a memo
function) that a user may use with the electronic pen.
[0062] The output unit 230 may display split screens based on the
number of screens that is determined by the determination unit 220.
In addition, when a screen is split, the output unit 230 may
display functions to be displayed on the split screens, for
example, functions recommended by the determination unit 220.
[0063] A device for controlling a screen, according to various
embodiments, may include: a display device or unit functionally
connected to an electronic device; a detection device or unit that
detects a multi-input signal; and a controller that displays the
display area of the display device or unit that is split into a
reference screen area and a split screen area in response to the
detection of the multi-input signal, wherein the screen of a
running function is displayed in the reference screen area, and the
screen of a function to be executed is displayed in the split
screen area.
[0064] According to various embodiments, the controller may display
a recommended function that is to be displayed in the split screen
area.
[0065] According to various embodiments, the controller may
identify the recommended function based on at least one of a
priority for an execution frequency, a priority for a name, and a
priority for an execution time.
[0066] According to various embodiments, the controller, when
splitting the display area into two or more split screen areas, may
display at least one recommended function in respective ones of the
split screen areas.
[0067] According to various embodiments, the controller may split
the display area based on at least one of the number of touch input
points, a moving distance of the touch input, a moving direction of
the touch input, and the area of the touch input.
[0068] According to various embodiments, the controller may
configure the size of the reference screen area based on the number
of split screen areas.
[0069] According to various embodiments, the controller may use the
reference screen area as a split screen area when the multi-input
signal is detected in a state in which a function is not
executed.
[0070] According to various embodiments, the controller may display
preview information on the reference screen area and the split
screen area before splitting the display area.
[0071] According to various embodiments, the detection device or
unit may detect a screen reconfiguration request. Further, the
controller may change the location of the reference screen area in
response to the screen reconfiguration request.
[0072] A device for controlling a screen, according to various
embodiments, may include: a display device or unit functionally
connected to an electronic device; a detection device or unit that
detects a single-input signal; and a controller that is configured
to receive or determine information regarding at least one of a
moving distance of the touch input, a moving direction of the touch
input, and the area of the touch input in response to the detection
of the single-input signal, and to cause the display area of the
display device or unit to be split into a reference screen area and
a split screen area based on the information. A screen of a running
function may be displayed in the reference screen area and a screen
of a function to be executed may be displayed in the split screen
area.
[0073] According to various embodiments, the controller may display
recommended functions that are to be displayed in the reference
screen area and the split screen area.
[0074] According to various embodiments, the controller may
identify a recommended function that contains at least one function
associated with an input means having generated the single-input
signal.
[0075] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a screen control
procedure of the electronic device, according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, and
13 illustrate examples for describing screen control methods
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0076] In operation 301, the electronic device 100 may detect a
split-screen input. According to another embodiment, the electronic
device 100 may detect a split-screen input associated with at least
one of a touch input, a voice input, a gesture input, and a button
input. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may
detect a multi-touch type of split-screen input 503 or 513 as
illustrated in FIG. 5 or may detect a single-touch type of
split-screen input 803 or 823 as illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0077] In operation 303, the electronic device 100 may identify the
type of the detected split-screen input. For example, the
electronic device 100 may determine whether a multi-touch has been
detected or whether a single-touch has been detected.
[0078] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure,
when a multi-touch has been detected, the electronic device 100 may
split a screen based on the multi-touch in operation 305. In this
case, the electronic device 100 may analyze the detected
multi-touch to calculate at least one of the number of touch input
points, a moving distance of the touch, and a moving direction of
the touch, and may split the screen based on the calculation. Here,
the splitting of the screen may correspond to splitting a display
area into a reference screen area for displaying the screen of a
running function and a split screen area for displaying the screen
of a function that is newly executed according to the split of the
screen.
[0079] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which the
operation of splitting the display area based on the multi-touch in
FIG. 3 is performed, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 4, the electronic device 100 may analyze
the multi-touch in operation 401. According to various embodiments,
the electronic device 100 may calculate the touch points (for
example, the locations where the touch inputs have been generated).
In addition, the electronic device 100 may calculate at least one
of the moving distance, direction, and speed of the touch inputs
based on the change of the touch points.
[0081] In operation 403, the electronic device 100 may determine
whether the touch inputs are detected to move. Here, the movement
of the touch inputs may correspond to changing the touch points on
the display while maintaining the touch inputs (that is, they
remain in contact with the display). According to an embodiment,
the electronic device 100 may define a threshold value for
determining the movement of the touch inputs. In this case, when
the moving distance of the touch inputs is less than the threshold
value, the electronic device 100 may determine that the movement of
the touch inputs has not been detected.
[0082] According to various embodiments, when the electronic device
100 determines that the movement of the touch inputs has not been
detected, the electronic device 100 may identify the touch points
in operation 409 and may perform an operation of splitting the
screen based on the touch points in operation 411. According to
various embodiments, the electronic device 100 may split the screen
in the same number as that of the touch points. As a result, a user
may increase the number of split screens while increasing the
number of touch points. Namely, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B,
the electronic device 100 may split a display area 501 into two
areas (for example, a first display area 501-1 and a second display
area 501-2) in response to the detection of the touch input 503
using two fingers. In this case, the first display area 501-1 may
be a reference screen area, and the second display area 501-2 may
be a split screen area.
[0083] In another example, the electronic device 100 may split a
display area 510 into three areas (for example, a first display
area 510-1, a second display area 510-2, and a third display area
510-3) in response to the detection of the touch input 513 using
three fingers. In this case, the first display area 510-1 may be a
reference screen area, and the second and third display areas 510-2
and 510-3 may be split screen areas. In addition, all the split
screens may have the same size, or only at least some of the split
screens may have the same size. For example, as the number of split
screen areas increases, the size of the reference screen area may
decrease.
[0084] According to various embodiments, when determining that the
movement of the touch inputs has been detected, the electronic
device 100 may identify the moving distance of the touch inputs in
operation 405 and may perform an operation of splitting the screen
based on the moving distance in operation 407. According to various
embodiments, the electronic device 100 may define the number of
split screens for each moving distance. For example, the electronic
device 100 may increase the number of split screens based on a
predetermined distance (for example, 10 pixels). As a result, a
user may increase the number of split screens while increasing the
moving distance.
[0085] In this case, the electronic device 100 may provide preview
information for the split screens before splitting the screen.
Here, the preview information may be information on a moving state
or may be information on the screen that is to be split according
to the movement. Namely, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C, the
electronic device 100 may: (a) display preview information 614
indicating that a display area 610 is to be split into two areas
when detecting a touch movement 612 that corresponds to a first
moving distance; (b) display preview information 622 indicating
that the display area is to be split into three areas when
detecting a touch movement 620 that corresponds to a second moving
distance; and/or (c) display preview information 632 indicating
that the display area is to be split into four areas when detecting
a touch movement 630 that corresponds to a third moving
distance.
[0086] Accordingly, a user may directly identify the moving
distance for the split of the screen, and may make a process to
split the screen by releasing the touch inputs at a desired
location. The displaying of the preview information, which has been
described with reference to FIG. 6, is an example, and the
electronic device 100, according to the various embodiments of the
present disclosure, may split the screen in a number of split
screen areas that corresponds to a moving distance without
displaying preview information.
[0087] The electronic device 100, according to the various
embodiments of the present disclosure, may return to FIG. 3 after
performing the operation of splitting the screen based on the
moving distance in operation 407. Alternatively, the electronic
device 100 may return to FIG. 3 after performing the operation of
splitting the screen based on the touch points in operation
411.
[0088] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 100,
when detecting a single touch, may split the display area based on
the single touch in operation 315. In this case, the electronic
device 100 may analyze the detected single touch to calculate at
least one of the touch point and the moving distance and moving
direction of the touch, and may split the screen based on the
calculation.
[0089] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which the
operation of splitting the screen based on the single-touch in FIG.
3 is performed, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0090] Referring to FIG. 7, the electronic device 100 may analyze
the single-touch in operation 701. Here, the single-touch may be an
input using a body part or an input means, such as an electronic
pen. According to various embodiments, the electronic device 100
may calculate the touch point (for example, the location where the
touch input has been generated). In addition, the electronic device
100 may calculate at least one of the moving distance, direction,
speed, the input maintenance time, and/or the input area of the
touch based on the change of the touch point.
[0091] In operation 703, the electronic device 100 may determine
whether the movement of the touch input is detected. Here, the
movement of the touch input may correspond to changing the touch
point while maintaining the touch input on one point.
[0092] According to various embodiments, when the movement of the
touch input is detected, the electronic device 100 may identify the
moving distance in operation 705, and may split the screen based on
the moving distance in operation 707. According to an embodiment,
the electronic device 100 may define the number of split screens
for each moving distance of the single-touch. For example, the
electronic device 100 may increase the number of split screens
based on a predetermined distance (for example, 10 pixels). Namely,
as illustrated in FIG. 8, the electronic device 100 may: (a) split
a screen 801 into two display areas when detecting a movement 803
of a touch input that is greater than a first threshold value (FIG.
8A); (b) split the screen into three display areas when detecting a
movement 807 of the touch input that is greater than a second
threshold value (FIG. 8B); and (c) split the screen into four
display areas when detecting a movement 811 of the touch input that
is greater than a third threshold value (FIG. 8C). In this case,
the electronic device 100, before splitting the screen, may display
preview information 805, 809, or 813 for the screen to be
split.
[0093] According to various embodiments, when the movement of the
touch input is not detected, the electronic device 100 may
calculate at least one of the input maintenance time and the input
area, and may split the screen based on the calculated information
in operation 709. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when
splitting the screen based on the input maintenance time, the
electronic device 100 may: (a) split a screen 821 into two display
areas as indicated by reference numeral 825 when a touch input 823
corresponding to a first threshold value is maintained (FIG. 8D);
(b) split the screen into three display areas as indicated by
reference numeral 829 when a touch input 827 corresponding to a
second threshold value is maintained (FIG. 8E); and (c) split the
screen into four display areas as indicated by reference numeral
833 when a touch input 831 corresponding to a third threshold value
is maintained (FIG. 8F). In another example, when splitting the
screen based on the input area, the electronic device 100, although
not illustrated, may: (a) split a display area into two areas in
response to the detection of an input area corresponding to a first
threshold value; and/or (b) split the display area into three or
four areas in response to the detection of an input area
corresponding to a second or third threshold value.
[0094] The electronic device 100, according to the various
embodiments of the present disclosure, may return to FIG. 3 after
splitting the screen based on the moving distance of the
single-touch. Alternatively, the electronic device 100 may return
to FIG. 3 after splitting the screen based on at least one of the
input maintenance time and the input area of the single-touch.
[0095] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure,
in operation 307, the electronic device 100 may recommend functions
that may be executed on the split screens after splitting the
screen by detecting the multi-touch input in operation 305, or
after splitting the screen by detecting the single-touch input in
operation 315. Here, the functions may be interpreted as having the
same meaning as applications, execution screens of applications,
etc.
[0096] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which the
operation of recommending functions to be executed in the split
screens in FIG. 3 is performed, according to various embodiments of
the present disclosure.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 9, in operation 901, the electronic device
100 may identify functions satisfying one or more conditions in
order to recommend functions that may be executed on the split
screens. Here, the functions satisfying a condition may be
associated with priorities (for example, priorities for an
execution frequency, priorities for names, priorities for execution
time, etc.). Namely, the functions satisfying a condition may
include a frequently executed function, a function having a
priority according to a name among the functions provided by the
electronic device, a recently executed function, etc. According to
various embodiments, the electronic device 100 may store execution
information for the functions. For example, for each function, the
electronic device 100 may manage at least one of the number of
times that the function has been executed, the time zone when the
function is executed, the time during which the execution of the
function has been maintained, and information on another function
that is executed together with the function.
[0098] In operation 903, the electronic device 100 may identify the
recommended functions that correspond to the number of split
screens. Here, the recommended functions may be a list of functions
that may be executed in the respective split screens.
[0099] In operation 905, the electronic device 100 may display the
recommended functions on the screen. In this case, the electronic
device 100 may display, on the screen, a recommendation window that
includes at least one recommended function. Here, the recommended
functions may be a combination of one or more functions. The number
of combined functions may be the number of split screens on which
new functions may be displayed.
[0100] For example, in cases where a screen is split while an
execution screen is not displayed, new functions may be displayed
on all split screens. Namely, as illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B,
while an execution screen is not displayed, the electronic device
100 may display a recommendation window 1030 that may include
recommended functions obtained by a combination of functions to be
displayed in a first area 1010 and functions to be displayed in a
second area 1020 when a screen 1001 is split into two areas, and
may display a recommendation window 1030 that includes recommended
functions obtained by a combination of functions to be displayed in
the first area 1010, functions to be displayed in the second area
1020, and functions to be displayed in a third area 1040 when the
screen 1001 is split into three areas (FIG. 10B).
[0101] In another example, in cases where a screen is split while
an execution screen is displayed, new functions may be displayed on
the remaining split screens other than one split screen for which
the display of the execution screen has to be maintained. Namely,
as illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11B, while an execution screen is
displayed, the electronic device 100 may display a recommendation
window, as indicated by reference numeral 1110 (FIG. 11A), which
includes recommended functions obtained by a combination of
functions to be displayed in the second display area when a screen
is split into two areas, and may display a recommendation window,
as indicated by reference numeral 1120 (FIG. 11B), which may
include recommended functions obtained by a combination of
functions to be displayed in the second area and functions to be
displayed in the third area when a screen is split into three
areas. In this case, the electronic device 100 may display, in the
first area, the existing execution screen that has been displayed
before the split of the screen.
[0102] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure,
the electronic device 100 may return to FIG. 3 after displaying the
recommended functions for the split screens.
[0103] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure,
in operation 309, the electronic device 100 may execute the
functions through the respective split screens after recommending
the functions to be executed on the split screens in operation 307.
Here, the functions executed through the respective split screens
may be functions selected by a user among the functions that have
been recommended in operation 307. In addition, the selected
functions may be recommended functions obtained by a combination of
two or more functions. In this case, the locations of the split
screens on which the functions that are integrated in the
recommended functions are to be executed may be defined.
[0104] In operation 311, the electronic device 100 may detect an
input for screen reconfiguration. Here, the input for screen
reconfiguration may be a touch input on a screen.
[0105] In operation 313, the electronic device 100 may reconfigure
the split screens in response to the input. Here, the
reconfiguration of the split screens may correspond to changing the
arrangement (for example, locations) of the split screens.
[0106] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which the
operation of reconfiguring the split screens in FIG. 3 is
performed, according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0107] Referring to FIG. 12, in operation 1201, the electronic
device 100 may analyze a user input for reconfiguring the split
screens. In this case, the electronic device 100 may calculate at
least one of the location and the speed of the input.
[0108] In operation 1203, the electronic device 100 may identify
the type of input through the analysis in operation 1201. For
example, based on the calculated information, the electronic device
100 may at least determine one of whether a rotating input has been
detected and/or whether a moving input has been detected.
[0109] According to various embodiments, in cases where a rotating
input is detected, the electronic device 100 may identify a
reconfiguration method corresponding to the rotating state in
operation 1205. According to an embodiment, the reconfiguration
method may be a changed arrangement of screens. For example, the
electronic device 100 may identify a screen arrangement state
corresponding to the extent of rotation.
[0110] According to various embodiments, in cases where a moving
input is detected, the electronic device 100 may identify a
reconfiguration method corresponding to the moving state in
operation 1209. For example, the electronic device 100 may identify
a screen arrangement state corresponding to an extent of
movement.
[0111] According to various embodiments, after identifying the
reconfiguration method corresponding to the rotating input or the
moving input, the electronic device 100 may reconfigure the split
screens according to the reconfiguration method identified in
operation 1207. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13D, it
may be assumed that a screen is split into first to third areas
1302, 1304, and 1306 as indicated by reference numeral 1300 wherein
the first area 1302 is defined as a reference area, and the second
and third areas 1304 and 1306 are defined as split areas. The
shaded portion in the drawing refers to the location of the
reference area. In this case, the electronic device 100 may change
the location of the reference area according to an input movement
location. Namely, when the movement of an input to a first location
is detected (1310), the reference area may be maintained in a
location in the first area (1312), and when the movement of the
input to a second location is detected (1320), the reference area
of the first area may be moved to the third area (1322). Further,
when the movement of the input to a third location is detected
(1330), the reference area may move to the second area.
[0112] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure,
the electronic device 100 may return to FIG. 3 after reconfiguring
the split screens.
[0113] FIGS. 14A-14C illustrates a screen control situation of the
electronic device, according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0114] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure,
the electronic device 100 may detect the movement of an input using
a hand knife and may split a screen based on the movement of the
input. This may correspond to the operation of splitting the screen
based on the moving distance of the multi-touch in operation 407 of
FIG. 4. Further, the electronic device 100 may display the existing
execution screen in one area of the split screens and may display
an execution screen for a new function in the other area (1410). In
this case, the electronic device 100 may define the location of the
existing execution screen based on a direction in which a touch
moves. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14A, the electronic
device 100 may define the left area among the split areas as the
location of the existing execution screen when detecting an input
that moves to the left.
[0115] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure,
the electronic device 100 may detect the movement of an input using
an electronic pen and may split a screen based on the movement of
the input. This may correspond to the operation of splitting the
screen based on the moving distance of the single-touch in
operation 707 of FIG. 7. Further, the electronic device 100 may
display the existing execution screen in one area of the split
screens and may display a function associated with the input means
in the other area. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14B, the
electronic device 100 may display a memo function associated with
the electronic pen on the split screen (1420).
[0116] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure,
the electronic device 100 may detect the area of a single-touch and
may split a screen based on the area of the touch. This may
correspond to the operation of splitting the screen based on the
area of the single-touch in operation 709 of FIG. 7. Further, the
electronic device 100 may perform a specific operation through the
split screen based on the detection of a pre-defined area. For
example, as illustrated in FIG. 14C, the electronic device 100 may
capture the screen in response to the area of the touch and may
display a function (for example, a message function) of
transmitting the captured screen on the split screen (1430).
[0117] A method of controlling a screen, according to various
embodiments, may include: detecting a multi-input signal; and
splitting a display area into a reference screen area and a split
screen area in response to the detection of the multi-input signal,
wherein the screen of a running function is displayed in the
reference screen area, and the screen of a function to be executed
is displayed in the split screen area.
[0118] According to various embodiments, the method may further
include displaying a recommended function that is to be displayed
in the split screen area after the splitting of the display
area.
[0119] According to various embodiments, the recommended function
may be identified based on various information including at least
one of a priority for an execution frequency, a priority for a
name, and a priority for an execution time.
[0120] According to various embodiments, the displaying of the
recommended function may include, when splitting the display area
into two or more split screen areas, displaying at least one
recommended function obtained by a combination of functions to be
displayed on the respective split screen areas.
[0121] According to various embodiments, the splitting of the
display area may include splitting the display area based on at
least one of the number of touch input points, a moving distance of
the touch input, a moving direction of the touch input, and the
area of the touch input.
[0122] According to various embodiments, the splitting of the
display area may include configuring the size of the reference
screen area based on the number of split screen areas.
[0123] According to various embodiments, the splitting of the
display area may include displaying preview information on the
reference screen area and the split screen area before splitting
the display area.
[0124] According to various embodiments, the method may further
include: detecting a screen reconfiguration request after splitting
the display area; and changing the location of the reference screen
area in response to the screen reconfiguration request.
[0125] A method of controlling a screen, according to various
embodiments, may include: detecting a single-input signal; and
analyzing at least one of a moving distance of the touch input, a
moving direction of the touch input, and the area of the touch
input in response to the detection of the single-input signal and
displaying the display area of the display device or unit that is
split into a reference screen area and a split screen area based on
the analysis result, wherein the screen of a running function is
displayed in the reference screen area, and the screen of a
function to be executed is displayed in the split screen area.
[0126] According to various embodiments, the method may further
include displaying recommended functions that are to be displayed
in the reference screen area and the split screen area. According
to various embodiments, the method may further include displaying a
recommended function that contains at least one function associated
with an input means having generated the single-input signal.
[0127] The method of controlling a screen and the electronic device
for processing the method, according to the various embodiments of
the present disclosure, can determine the number of split screens
based on at least one of the number of touch input points, the
number of inputs, an input time, a moving distance of the input,
and a moving direction of the input, thereby enabling a user to
efficiently split a screen.
[0128] The above-described embodiments of the present disclosure
can be implemented in hardware, firmware or via the execution of
software or computer code that can be stored in a recording medium
such as a CD ROM, a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), a magnetic tape,
a RAM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magneto-optical disk or
computer code downloaded over a network originally stored on a
remote recording medium or a non-transitory machine readable medium
and to be stored on a local recording medium, so that the methods
described herein can be rendered via such software that is stored
on the recording medium using a general purpose computer, or a
special processor or in programmable or dedicated hardware, such as
an ASIC or FPGA. As would be understood in the art, the computer,
the processor, microprocessor controller or the programmable
hardware include memory components, e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash, etc.
that may store or receive software or computer code that when
accessed and executed by the computer, processor or hardware
implement the processing methods described herein. In addition, it
would be recognized that when a general purpose computer accesses
code for implementing the processing shown herein, the execution of
the code transforms the general purpose computer into a special
purpose computer for executing the processing shown herein. Any of
the functions and steps provided in the Figures may be implemented
in hardware, or a combination hardware configured with machine
executable code and may be performed in whole or in part within the
programmed instructions of a computer. No claim element herein is
to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth
paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase
"means for".
[0129] Various embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed in
the specification and the drawings are only particular examples to
easily describe the technical matters of the present disclosure and
assist in the understanding of the present disclosure, and do not
limit the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be
construed that, in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein,
all modifications and changes or modified and changed forms derived
from the technical idea of the present disclosure fall within the
scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *